Laura Anne Jones has warned that a new tax bombshell will mark the end for many much-loved pubs.

Rachel Reeves’ shock decision to raise employers’ National Insurance contributions will deal the average British pub a £4,000 blow.

The changes, which came into force on Sunday, mean businesses will now pay 15% on wages above £5,000, when previously they paid 13.8% on earnings above £9,100.

Pubs have already been grappling with higher business rates, energy bills and borrowing costs.

According to the British Beer and Pub Association, in Wales, 19 pubs closed their doors for the last time in 2024, meaning a pub closes its doors for the last time every three weeks here. Across Britain, 6 pubs closed in an average week last year.

In January, the Castle Inn pub closed in Monmouth, which followed a string of hospitality closures in the area, such as the Queen’s Head and former Conservative Club.

Ms Jones raised pub closures in the Senedd in February, but was told by Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary Jane Hutt that closures are “customer choice”.

Laura Anne Jones MS, Senedd Member for South Wales East and Shadow Minister for Housing, Local Government and the Armed Forces, said:

“Across our communities, our pubs play a key role, preserving great buildings, providing employment and acting as community hubs where friendships are made and nurtured.

“Sadly, for so many pubs, this latest tax bombshell may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. After having to weather so many hardships, and with margins now often at just pennies a on pint, we are at risk of losing some of our most cherished public houses.

“We need to see a suite of measures to save our pubs, bring down the cost of a pint and ensure that our British pub-going heritage is preserved for generations to come.”